Instructions
Check your cat for dehydration by gently pinching a bit of skin at the back of the cat's neck. The Feline CRF Information Center says that "when released, it should immediately fall back in place. If it takes a few seconds, it's indicative of loss of elasticity which is a characteristic of dehydration. Another test for dehydration is to touch the cat's gums. They should feel slick. If they feel tacky, the cat is dehydrated."
Contact your veterinarian if your cat displays either of the aforementioned symptoms. Keep in mind that cats can be significantly dehydrated before clinical signs are obvious.
Follow your veterinarian's advice regarding treatment of constipation as a result of renal failure. Your vet might suggest fluid therapy, laxatives, enemas, prokinetic agents, or possibly surgery if all other options are exhausted.
How to Treat Constipation in Cats With Renal Failure
As a cat ages, it is more likely to experience renal failure. According to the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB), "chronic renal failure is progressive over time so that there is a gradual advancement and worsening of the disease." One of the more frustrating symptoms that comes with renal failure is that of constipation. FAB notes that "cats with chronic renal failure lose excessive amounts of water in their urine, and although their water consumption increases, they are often still dehydrated and can therefore become constipated."